CARSCOOP

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• Future Cars: Treading New Territory with Ford’s Global 2015 Edge CUV
• Watch a Car Thief Get Trapped Inside the Car by Brave Neighbors
• Scoop: Volvo Caught Developing New V60 Polestar Performance Estate
• New 2014 Camaro Z28 Laps the 'Ring in 7:37.47, Faster than Lexus LFA and Porsche 911 CS
• Saudi Women Bravely Planning Mass Driving Protest on October 26 [w/Videos]
• Two of JFK’s Lincolns Up for Auction, Including Last Car He Used Before the Assassination
• Range Rover Hybrid Prototypes Complete Epic 10,500-Mile Silk Trail Expedition [w/Video]
• Walter Röhrl Scares the Bejesus Out of German TV Host Trying to Keep Her Cool
• Aston Martin Keen to Revive Lagonda Sub-Brand with SUV Model, Says Report
• U Spy: 2015 BMW 1-Series GT Caught Hauling a Trailer in Munich
• Car Magazine Says a Porsche is its Favorite Performance car of 2013 – Do You Agree?
• 2015 Volkswagen Jetta Facelift Envisioned by Artist
• Mercedes R&D Boss says B-Class Electric Drive will be Better than BMW i3
• Turkish Driver Hits Kid on Bicycle, is Attacked by a Mob and a Man Jumping from the Second Floor!
• Toyota Prius V Owners Sue for Poorly Performing Precollision System
• What in the World is This?
• Ford’s MyKey May Be the Worst Thing to Happen to Young Drivers and their Parents
• New Hyundai i10 Brings Bigger Body and More Luxury, Keeps Same Price Entry Point at £8,345
• BMW 4-Series Coupe Wearing Traditional German Luxury Car Trim Suit
• Nissan to Launch Infiniti Brand in Japan with the Q50 - The End of Skyline Range?
• Off-Duty Cop Guns Down Motorcycle Hijacker, Everything Captured on Film
• Surprise, Surprise…Another Hyundai Genesis Coupe for SEMA Show
• Is This the 2014 Lexus CT 200h Facelift or a Photoshop?
• BMW M6 Gran Coupe MotoGP Safety Car Paces...Paris Traffic [w/Video]
• Chevrolet Updates Agile Supermini for Brazil, Still No Looker [123 Photos]

Future Cars: Treading New Territory with Ford’s Global 2015 Edge CUV Posted: 14 Oct 2013 05:35 PM PDT The Crossover and SUV markets have yielded many automakers much success. In my mind, vehicles like the 1st-generation Range Rover, Jeep Cherokee and Ford Explorer have paved the way for a vast array of weird and wonderful all-terrain options. Today, you can basically specify what size and shape bush-basher one so desires (admittedly some are rather useless off the beaten track); from BMW's coupe-like X6 and Buick's compact Encore to Cadillac's hulking great Escalade ESV - there's a niche for everyone. One of the more popular categories is the mid-size crossover segment. Ford's entrant in this arena is the Edge - a handsomely styled CUV that's positioned between the smaller Escape and larger Explorer siblings. However, like most products, its model cycle is ending and an all-new version is just around the corner - and this time it goes global. Design: Styling of the out-going version has been rather well received, yet was relatively timid - asides from the bold, three-bar chrome grille. Ford's next installment needs to appeal to a greater global audience; hence, the need for a design statement that's much more expressive. The 2015 redesign brings in Ford's post-kinetic design language that embodies straighter character lines and deeper sheet metal folds. Viewing from the side reveals a profile much more hatch-back like than traditional SUV; this is exaggerated by the small and angular rear quarter windows, rounded D-pillar and short overhangs. The front-end treatment will be familiar to current Edge owners - so cue the dominant, 3-bar chromed grille; yet this time it's  trapezoidal-fashioned to fit in with Ford's most recent offerings.  Interior: While we've yet to catch glimpse of the next Edge's interior; look to Ford's more recent S-Max concept for design pointers. Expect simpler styling and premium materials as opposed the angular and cluttered interiors seen in the current Escape, Focus and Fiesta models.  Technophiles will be catered for with Ford's vast array of infotainment options; MyFord Touch will be updated with a better user interface (more physical buttons) and quicker response times. Gadgets like the Escape's hands-free tailgate will appear, and potentially a more advanced park-assist program may make a debut too. Safety: Currently, the Edge scores good ratings in both National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests. However, the latter has recently introduced the more stringent small-overlap test - something that Ford will want to ace by using a redesigned front-end structure and stronger hydro-formed steel components.  Active safety systems will be of current fare; so cue Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Aid and Blind Spot Monitoring with Cross-Traffic Alert. What isn't known, is if Ford's recently-revealed Obstacle Avoidance Program will make an appearance - a clever bit of kit that scans the roadway ahead for gaps left or right of a stopped obstacle and autonomously steers around the hazard if the driver doesn't react to an audible chime.  What Powers It: We know members of the EcoBoost family will sit under the hood; what isn't 100% apparent, is if a V6 variant will still be on the cards - although there is rumor that Ford's new 'Nano' 2.7-Liter V6 may be up for consideration. Regardless, any performance and economy concerns should be easily addressed with the tried-and-proven 2.0-Liter four-cylinder mills found in other Ford products. European and Asia-Pacific markets will likely have diesel-powered options. Whether or not a Hybrid version will ever see the light of day remains to be seen. Handling: The 2015 Edge rides on the same global CD4 platform that underpins the Fusion/Mondeo, so expect ride and handling to be up there with best in class. MacPherson struts and a new multi-link rear suspension will keep the body-roll and ride quality in-check. Although if things really do get out of shape - the stability control program with its Torque Vectoring component will take the fuss out of emergency maneuvers.  Market Positioning: As a mid-size crossover, the Edge will do battle against the capable GMC Terrain, Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Santa Fe and Nissan Murano to name a few. It's also worth noting that the 2015 Edge will form the bases for Lincoln's next MKX crossover and replace the long-serving Ford Territory SUV in Australia (the latter, along with the iconic Ford Falcon will cease production down under in 2016). Expect the Edge to be officially revealed later this year or early next year as a MY2015 entrant, and to be built at Ford's Oakville plant in Ontario, Canada. Overall, the next Ford Edge is shaping up to be rather compelling piece of kit with strong global underpinnings and athletic styling to do battle in a vast, automotive cash-cow orientated market. Although one must wonder where Ford's designers got their inspiration for that front grille - Toyota Highlander anyone? Let us know what you think of it in the comments section below. By Josh Byrnes Photo Renderings Copyright: Carscoops / Josh Byrnes PHOTO GALLERY

Watch a Car Thief Get Trapped Inside the Car by Brave Neighbors Posted: 14 Oct 2013 04:39 PM PDT What could be worse than a car theft? Well, catching the thief in the act may trigger some tragic consequences, as hunted criminals are usually willing to do anything to get away. However, sometimes these incidents have happy endings, as is the following case from the UK. Residents from Swansea trapped a thief inside the car he was trying to steal after he cynically asked the owner's neighbor to move his car so that he could drive off in the Smart Roadster… The neighbor did not know who Matthew Draper was and went to ask the mother of the car's owner whether she recognized him. Realizing he's a thief, residents held the doors of the car shut so that he could not exit until the police arrived. Draper reportedly threatened them with a screwdriver and spit at Tanya Miles, the Smart's owner, as she arrived at the scene. Finally, police came and arrested the thief, who, according to The Telegraph, is a known drug addict. The man who filmed the incident on his phone, Dimitris Legakis, wrote the following on his YouTube account: "Thief Matthew Mark Draper, trapped by local residents in Swansea, inside the car he was trying to steal until the police arrive to arrest him. He was jailed for four months by a judge in Swansea Crown Court, and another 28 months for other offences." You can watch the surreal scene in the video after the break. By Dan Mihalascu VIDEO

Scoop: Volvo Caught Developing New V60 Polestar Performance Estate Posted: 14 Oct 2013 04:05 PM PDT If these spy shots are anything to go by, then it looks like Volvo's limited production run of the S60 Polestar Performance sedan for the Australian market may be followed up by a similar version of the V60 estate. The lightly camouflaged prototype finished in Polestar's signature baby blue shade sports an array of visible upgrades, including the modified front bumper that incorporates a lip spoiler, a new rear bumper with a diffuser flanked by single pipes, a roof spoiler, big alloy wheels wrapped in low profile rubber and large Brembo brake calipers. What we can't see, is what will (or won't…) really make this Volvo special. On the sedan model, Volvo's racing and performance tuning partner went for a modified version of the standard model's 3.0-liter six-cylinder unit fitted with a bigger turbo, intercooler, revised engine mapping and racing exhaust. The result of these upgrades is an output of 345hp (350PS) and more than 500Nm (369+lb-ft) of peak torque. Whether this tester features the same engine linked to a revised 6-speed automatic and all-wheel drive as the S60 Polestar Performance model, is something that remains unknown at this point, while we're also not aware if Volvo plans to offer the V60 globally or limited to certain markets. Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS PHOTO GALLERY

New 2014 Camaro Z28 Laps the 'Ring in 7:37.47, Faster than Lexus LFA and Porsche 911 CS Posted: 14 Oct 2013 03:27 PM PDT GM has taken the manufacturer Nürburgring lap-time challenge quite seriously the past few years, with its best runs recorded by the 2012 Corvette C6 ZR1 (7:19.63) and the 2012 Corvette C6 Z06 (7:22.68). Today, GM told us that the brand-new 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 turned the notorious Nordschleife in 7:37.47. While slower than the more expensive Corvettes, this lap time puts it ahead of other sports cars like the regular Lexus LFA (7:38 by Sport Auto magazine – the LFA Nürburgring Edition did it in 7:14.64), the new Porsche 911 Carrera S (7:37.9) and even the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 (7:40) and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (7:40). Not bad at all for an American pony car, wouldn't you agree (even though we still don't know the asking price for the top Camaro)? You can read more details about the new Camaro Z28 here, but we'll just mention that it sports a Corvette-sourced 7.0-liter V8 delivering "at least 500 horsepower (373 kW)" that channels ponies to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox with close-ratio gearing. VIDEO

Saudi Women Bravely Planning Mass Driving Protest on October 26 [w/Videos] Posted: 14 Oct 2013 03:01 PM PDT Women in Saudi Arabia are organizing a nationwide protest on October 26 against the de facto ban on female drivers. A group of women who want authorities to lift the ban on their driving have launched an online campaign urging female drivers to stage a demonstration by driving on October 26. Almost 15,500 women and men signed a petition on the campaign's website in favor of lifting the ban. "There is no justification for the Saudi government to prohibit adult women citizens who are capable of driving cars from doing so," says the online petition. A leading female blogger, which has repeatedly called for Saudi women to defy the driving ban, was detained in Riyadh on Thursday as she was filming a female friend while driving. Eman al-Nafjan was in a car that was stopped by police in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital, as she filmed her friend driving. The blogger has been calling on Saudi women to upload videos of themselves driving in different parts of the country. As the two women were pulled over, al-Nafjan was live tweeting, posting a picture of the police car along with the message "Police stopped us." The tweet generated a lot of reactions and supportive messages from Twitter users throughout the country. The two women were released shortly after. Although no traffic law specifically forbids women to drive in Saudi Arabia, religious edicts are interpreted that way. Traffic police don't issue driver's licenses for women and don't recognize licenses issued abroad. Recently, a Saudi cleric said in an interview that Saudi women should not drive because it could cause damage to their ovaries by forcing the pelvis upward. The comment has been widely interpreted as a reaction against the October 26 driving campaign. However, women are determined to gain their right to drive, and many Saudi men support them, as you can see from one of al-Nafjan's videos posted below. By Dan Mihalascu Story References: CNN and RT VIDEO

Two of JFK’s Lincolns Up for Auction, Including Last Car He Used Before the Assassination Posted: 14 Oct 2013 03:03 PM PDT The assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) in 1963 in Dallas in a convertible 1961 Lincoln Continental limousine made the Secret Service ban presidential cabriolets forever. However, the black Lincoln Continental wasn't the only convertible President Kennedy had used during that sad day. In the morning of November 22, 1963, JFK, Jacqueline Kennedy and Texas governor John Connally were driven on the streets of Forth Worth in a white 1963 Lincoln Continental on their way to Carswell Air Force Base, where they boarded the flight to Dallas. This car has surfaced on the RR Auction's website and will be available from a starting bid of $50,000 (€36,890) at the JFK 50th Anniversary Auction that opens October 17 and ends October 24. It turns out that the car was loaned out by a car dealer for use by the president while he was in Forth Worth. Restored by Lincoln specialist Baker Restoration, the car features a new engine, bodywork and new paint. However, most of the interior is in its original condition, including the red leather upholstery. The auction price also includes ownership documentation and photos from that morning showing the Kennedys in the car. This was basically the last car JFK used before his assassination later that day. The auction also features another Lincoln that was used by the president, a black armored 1960 Continental limousine from the Kennedy White House motor pool. Listed for $25,000 (€18,445), the car features a divider window, passenger air controls, power steering and brakes and a two-way telephone in the back seat. RR Auction says most of the body has been restored but the interior is in its original condition, with beige leather seats and matching carpeting. The Continental limo was leased to the White House for $500 a year from Ford and was used for JFK's personal needs in Washington, DC.   By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Range Rover Hybrid Prototypes Complete Epic 10,500-Mile Silk Trail Expedition [w/Video] Posted: 14 Oct 2013 02:16 PM PDT Precisely 53 days after they started the journey in Solihull, UK, the three Land Rover Range Rover Diesel Hybrid prototypes have successfully completed the 10,472-mile (16,853-km) long adventure by reaching their final destination: Mumbai, India. The Silk Trail expedition has served as "the ultimate engineering sign-off test" for Land Rover's first hybrid before it goes into production. The route included 13 countries in hostile conditions including asphalt roads riddled with large and deep potholes, dusty desert trails in 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 degrees Fahrenheit) and countless miles of mud and gravel tracks and cattle trails. The adventure was made all the more exciting for both man and machine by the river crossings, passes clinging to the edges of mountains partly blocked by rock falls, the "the dense and erratic traffic of Chinese and Indian roads" and the thin air of extremely high altitudes. The route took the three Range Rovers through the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China (including Tibet), Nepal and India. For much of the distance the expedition followed the ancient Silk Road trading routes. To make the expedition even more worthy of the Silk Trail name, overnight stops were made in hotels, hostels and tents at many of the same staging posts visited centuries ago by Silk Road merchants, missionaries and mercenaries. The Range Rover Hybrids reached heights of over 5,300 meters (17,389 feet) above sea level on the Xinjiang-Tibet highway where they spent seven consecutive days at altitudes between 3,350 and 5,379 meters (11,000 and 17,648 feet). An interesting detail is the average fuel consumption of the three large hybrid SUVs – 36 to 37 mpg UK (30 to 30.8 mpg US, 7.84 to 7.63 l/100 km). The Range Rover Diesel Hybrid features a 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine linked to a 35kW electric motor, with a total output of 335hp and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. Land Rover engineers sent home more than 300 gigabytes of detailed technical records, as the purpose of the expedition was not to test reliability but to fine-tune the calibration of engine and transmission software to "ensure perfectly seamless performance in all terrains and extreme temperatures and altitudes," according to the company. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY VIDEO

Walter Röhrl Scares the Bejesus Out of German TV Host Trying to Keep Her Cool Posted: 14 Oct 2013 01:29 PM PDT While it's always a blast to watch driving legends on the screen from the comfort of your home chair, the experience is completely different once you jump into the…passenger seat. German actor, singer, and television host Barbara Schöneberg wanted to live that experience first-hand with famous world rally champion Walter Röhrl behind the wheel of an Audi S3 performance hatchback on the road. As much as Schöneberg tried to keep her head, face and…stomach movements in line as she was filming the ride, she had a hard time doing so. Nevertheless, we'll admit that she handled the situation much better than some other people we've seen of film (this rally co-driver and this "experienced" young motorist come to mind). VIDEO

Aston Martin Keen to Revive Lagonda Sub-Brand with SUV Model, Says Report Posted: 14 Oct 2013 01:00 PM PDT Having secured technology for its next-generation models through a deal with Mercedes-AMG, Aston Martin is now free to think about more future vehicles. To diversify its lineup and consequently boost sales, the UK-based luxury car manufacturer is reportedly considering reviving the Lagonda sub-brand. You probably remember the controversial Mercedes-Benz GL-based Lagonda Concept that Aston Martin displayed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. The beauty of the Lagonda brand (not the concept…) is that it would allow the carmaker to get away with building an SUV while keeping the Aston Martin brand intact. Aston put the Lagonda SUV project on hold soon after it was revealed, but recent developments from its competitors (Bentley, Maserati and even Rolls-Royce is considering an SUV) forced the company to look for ways to build an SUV too. But plans for Lagonda vehicles include more than just the SUV, as Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez told Australia's Drive. A conventional large limousine and a smaller mid-sized sedan may also be launched in the future. "I am confident in the future we will see a Lagonda on the road," Bez said. "With the Lagonda name we have the chance to use it for everything that goes beyond what is our base car line and preferably it will be something like an SUV," he added. Bez said that five to ten years from now, "everything beyond V8 Vantage, Rapide, Vanquish could be branded as Lagonda." Product engineering chief Ian Minards said Aston Martin's bonded aluminum structure is flexible enough to accommodate a large SUV. However, if Aston Martin convinces Mercedes-Benz to supply it with the chassis from the GL-Class SUV, the Lagonda SUV would be cheaper to make and could arrive sooner on the market. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

U Spy: 2015 BMW 1-Series GT Caught Hauling a Trailer in Munich Posted: 14 Oct 2013 12:30 PM PDT Remember the BMW Active Tourer Concept from 2012 Paris motor show? Well, here's what the production version looks like in the Bavarian firm's signature camouflage wrap. The 1-Series Gran Turismo (GT) tester was nabbed by Carscoops' reader Peter S., who told us the following: "While I was sitting in a cafe house in rainy Munich and drinking my morning café I recognised a camouflage BMW outside. I ran out and took photo shots of it. The regular length 1-Series GT (there will also be a longer model possibly featuring space for 5+2 passengers) was snapped hauling a trailer, while revealing very few of its details. Underpinning the new BMW model will be the group's UKL modular platform shared with the next Mini, which means that the 1-Series GT will break tradition by offering front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive may be offered as an option on more powerful engines. One of the car's closest competitors will be the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. We tip our hats to Peter S. for the scoop shots! PHOTO GALLERY

Car Magazine Says a Porsche is its Favorite Performance car of 2013 – Do You Agree? Posted: 14 Oct 2013 12:06 PM PDT The year that's drawing to a close has been a very prolific one for performance cars. We've had new models sprout out in all classes, from supermini hot hatches, to hybrid hypercars  and even an electric sedan that can punch well above its weight (literally) in terms of track performance. In order to make sense of the vast number of sporty cars released this year, Car Magazine gathered all its editors  and let them loose on their chosen selection of new and relevant models. What became immediately obvious was the fact that there really were no real losers among their picks, and I know I personally would have enjoyed any of the cars they had lined up to compare, even the Ford Fiesta ST. In the end, the knockout competition only had the Porsche 911 GT3 left standing at the end, despite its unpopular switch from a ma to an automatic – it was praised by all who drove it, and apparently 'they all wanted one.' The video on how they chose the Porsche as their winner is posted below. After watching it, why not tell us which one you would have preferred, in the comments section. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

2015 Volkswagen Jetta Facelift Envisioned by Artist Posted: 14 Oct 2013 11:41 AM PDT It seems that Volkswagen's current crop of uninspired models has inspired a number of digital facelift proposals from independent photoshop artists and designers. After the recent virtual refresh for the Scirocco coupe, we discovered another photoshop, this time, for the 2015 Jetta sedan, with the facelift borrowing styling cues from the new Golf 7 hatchback. Made by the crew running the Auto Projecoes pages, the digital render of the 2015 Jetta adopts the new Golf's signature headlamp inserts together with its taillights and front and rear bumpers, while on the inside, it gains the compact hatchback's instrument panel, steering wheel and upper and lower center consoles. All changes seem reasonable and in line with what VW has shown us in recent years with other models. We'll leave it to you to tell us if you think these updates work for the better in the comments section. Photo Credits: Auto Projecoes 2015 JETTA F/L PROPOSAL VS 2014 JETTA

Mercedes R&D Boss says B-Class Electric Drive will be Better than BMW i3 Posted: 14 Oct 2013 11:16 AM PDT The rivalry between Mercedes-Benz and BMW is probably the most intense in the automotive world, with the two carmakers competing head to head in virtually all the market segments they're present in. The electric car segment will be no exception, as BMW's recently launched i3 electric supermini will soon have a rival from Mercedes-Benz - the B-Class Electric Drive. To raise awareness on the new model, Daimler R&D chief Thomas Weber hinted that the electric B-Class will be better than the BMW i3. "In all the key criteria, this vehicle will be at least as competitive as our competitors' models," Weber said in an interview for the print edition of Germany's Automobilwoche cited by Autonews Europe. He pointed out that the B-Class Electric Drive will have five seats instead of four in the i3, a range of 200 km (124 miles) that "can be achieved in normal daily use" and will reach a top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). The BMW i3 has a maximum range of 190 km (118 miles) and reaches a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph). The B-Class Electric Drive will also have 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque, compared to the BMW's 250 Nm (184 lb-ft). However, the i3 is faster from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph): 7.2 seconds compared to 7.9 seconds. The executive added that Mercedes-Benz hasn't set a price for the B-Class Electric Drive in Europe but said it will be "extremely competitive". The electric B-Class will first launch in the U.S. in spring 2014 and in Europe in autumn 2014. By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY

Turkish Driver Hits Kid on Bicycle, is Attacked by a Mob and a Man Jumping from the Second Floor! Posted: 14 Oct 2013 10:50 AM PDT We're guessing that after you watch this security camera footage of a driver being brutally attacked by a mob of angry people for unintentionally crashing into a child on a bicycle, fortunately, without running over the kid, you will either be dumbfounded or wondering where is this world going to. The man was driving a blue van on the streets of Adana in southern Turkey when the child on the bicycle came speeding around a corner entering the road and crashing into the vehicle. The driver stopped in time and exited the van along with his brother and another man to check out the kid, who in the meantime was up on his feet. Seeing the video, and unless the van entered the street the wrong way or if there's a stop sign we can't see, he doesn't seem to be at fault. Sadly, these kind of accidents do happen, but what took place after that is perhaps even more scary as a group of people viciously attacked the driver, with one man, going as far as jumping from the second floor onto the van to punch him. Turkish media reported that the child was treated for some light injuries at a local hospital and was released the same day. VIDEO

Toyota Prius V Owners Sue for Poorly Performing Precollision System Posted: 14 Oct 2013 09:51 AM PDT The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS, recently introduced a new test program that "rates the performance of front crash prevention systems to help consumers decide which features to consider and encourage automakers to speed adoption of the technology." They then proceeded in trying out several dozens of cars, and found Subaru and Volvo modes' systems to be the best of the lot, achieving the best mitigation results. However, one car fared particularly badly, to the point where its crash mitigation system only shaved a "negligible" amount of speed off, before hitting the placed obstacle. The car was the Toyota Prius V that comes with the brand's Pre-Collision System (PCS), part of a $5,000 options pack, of which it accounts for about one fifth of what is asked. Now, owners have caught wind of this, and have proceeded to take legal action against Toyota Motor Sales, demanding justice and answers, according to Courthousenews. "Of those 47 models, only the Toyota Prius V and one Infinity model failed to qualify as a crash prevention system," the complaint states. "Despite the PCS [precollision system] being marketed and sold by TMS [Toyota Motor Sales] as an accident mitigation system that provides automatic braking in unavoidable frontal collisions, it provides no real safety benefit to consumers who paid for the option through either a sale or a lease." According to Tae Hee Lee, one of the lead plaintiffs in the suit against Toyota Motor Sales, officials representing the automaker responded by stating that the the company never said that its models include collision-avoidance systems. "This false statement makes clear that Toyota knew that the class vehicles equipped with PCS did not provide any effective automatic braking in unavoidable frontal collisions," the complaint reads. The plaintiffs want $5 million for "breach of warranty, fraud, breach of contract, bad faith and other claims." We will bring you more on this, as it comes up. By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY

What in the World is This? Posted: 14 Oct 2013 09:05 AM PDT Are you up to a guessing challenge? If you're reading this, then we'll assume the answer is yes. So, some of the questions we have been pondering after looking at these two photos of the same car are, 'What exactly is it, and what's it trying to resemble?', and 'Who made it and why?'. Leaving the second set of enquiries aside, we came up with two candidates for the base model, the first being the Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste from the mid-1970s, early 1980s (also sold as the Chrysler Lancer in Australia, and Plymouth and Dodge Arrow in North America), and the other a Nissan Skyline C110 from the '70s. As far as what it's supposed to look like, well, the front seems to incorporate a Mitsubishi Galant snout, while at the back, we're not sure if it's supposed to resemble the last, dark plastic days of the third generation Corvette, a 1980s-2000s Nissan Skyline GT-R, or something entirely different. Heck, have a go at it for yourself in the comments section below the break. Photos via Top Gear Philippines (via Edward Marvin Abueg) , Mitsubishi Celeste and Nissan Skyline pics via Wikipedia (1) , (2) PHOTO GALLERY

Ford’s MyKey May Be the Worst Thing to Happen to Young Drivers and their Parents Posted: 14 Oct 2013 08:41 AM PDT I remember after I got my driver's license that I had to have my father in the passenger's seat for a few months after, but not because so said the law, or the fact that I was particularly bad at driving, and the lack of parental faith in me bringing the prized family sedan back home in one piece – it was simply for peace of mind, as well as a bonding experience, and I think very important in the development of any parent-child relationship. Ford now has a sneaky way around that, which would allow whichever parent should be tutoring you in the ways of the steering wheel, to sit back and watch their favorite show at home, while you roam the streets on your own – it's not actually new, but it's called MyKey. It allows owners to limit certain settings for the car, the most important of which being the maximum speed, or making the stability control stay permanently on, without the possibility of disabling it using the usual dashboard button. It is a good system to have, but it does not, like the commercial posted below says, replace the presence of a parent or trusted family member in passenger's seat by any means – now more parents will have more excuses to spend less time with their kids, and I'm sorry, but while MyKey is useful, it's not necessarily constructive. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

New Hyundai i10 Brings Bigger Body and More Luxury, Keeps Same Price Entry Point at £8,345 Posted: 14 Oct 2013 08:20 AM PDT Despite the fact that Hyundai says the new generation of its i10 city car has improved dramatically over its predecessor on most levels including size, refinement and quality, the Koreans are keeping the same price-entry point as the outgoing model in the UK at £8,345. First deliveries will take place on January 30, 2014. Longer (+80mm), wider (+65mm) and lower (-50mm) than its predecessor with a 10 per cent increase in luggage space at 252 litres with the seats up, the new i10 will be offered with two petrol engines. The base 65hp (66PS) 1.0-liter 3-cylinder unit accelerates the car from standstill to 62mph (100km/h) in 14.9 seconds and tops out at 96mph (155km/h), while the 86hp (87PS) 1.2-liter inline-four goes from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in 12.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 106mph (171km/h). In base "S" trim, the i10 comes with 14 inch steel wheels, central locking, electric front windows, CD tuner + USB, Daytime Running Lights, ISOfix and tilt adjust steering wheel as standard. The SE trim adds remote central locking, electric rear windows, electric heated door mirrors, body colour door handles and mirrors, driver's seat height adjustment and black B pillar. Moving up to the range-topping Premium edition gets you 14-inch alloys, Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, steering wheel controls, LED daytime running lights, front fog lamps, rear speakers, drivers safety window, door mirror indicators, and Emergency Stop Signal. Also standard in this edition are side body mouldings, leather steering wheel and gear stick and chrome effect interior door handle and parking brake. PHOTO GALLERY

BMW 4-Series Coupe Wearing Traditional German Luxury Car Trim Suit Posted: 14 Oct 2013 08:00 AM PDT Ah, remember the golden days of German luxury automakers (especially in Europe), when everything, and we mean everything, was considered an option – from the passenger side mirror and heated rear window to hubcaps and the tachometer? Even if you're not a fan of Japanese carmakers' products, you have to admit that they did change the industry's perceptions in this department forcing the Germans to follow suit. The artist over at X-Tomi Design had a bit of a tongue-in-cheek inspiration bringing those dark equipment days back to life with a Photoshop of the new BMW 4-Series Coupe dressed in a so-called, Base Line trim, with unpainted front bumper and fascia, side skirts, door mirrors and rear bumper, with no fog lights or even hub-caps. Brings back a lot of memories, doesn't it… Photo Credits: Xtomi PHOTO GALLERY

Nissan to Launch Infiniti Brand in Japan with the Q50 - The End of Skyline Range? Posted: 14 Oct 2013 07:38 AM PDT Launched in 1989 as a competitor for Toyota's luxury division Lexus in the United States, Nissan's Infiniti brand has been expanding worldwide in recent years, focusing especially on Europe. Now it looks like Infiniti will debut in Japan as well, as Nissan wants to capitalize on demand for luxury cars in its home market. According to a report from Japanese business daily Nikkei quoted by Reuters, Nissan will launch the redesigned Skyline luxury sports sedan under the Infiniti brand as early as this winter. The Skyline is sold as the Infiniti Q50 in the United States and Europe. Nissan hasn't yet communicated the price of the Q50 in Japan, but the report said the sedan will be built in a plant in Tochigi Prefecture. In the U.S., the Infiniti Q50 starts from $36,700. The fate of the Nissan Skyline range remains unknown, but it doesn't make much sense for the Japanese company to offer the same exact vehicles under different brands in the same market. According to Nikkei, Nissan will sell Infiniti models at existing Nissan dealerships and has no plans to set up an exclusive sales network for now. If sales are good, Nissan may consider expanding the Infiniti lineup in the country. Infiniti vehicles are mostly produced in Japan and exported overseas. The brand made up less than 1 percent of Nissan's operating profit in the last two years as the strong Japanese Yen dented affected its exports. However, Infiniti is expected to meet its own operating profit margin target this fiscal year, thanks to a weaker yen and low depreciation charge. Infiniti president Johan de Nysschen said he expected the brand to meet its target for an operating profit margin of 6-7 percent in the fiscal year ending in March 2014. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Off-Duty Cop Guns Down Motorcycle Hijacker, Everything Captured on Film Posted: 14 Oct 2013 07:11 AM PDT Talk about instant justice… A Brazilian motorcyclist riding his white Honda Hornet on the roads of São Paulo this past Sunday was ambushed by a pair of thugs on another bike, with one of them pointing a gun on his face before hijacking his ride. However, the thief didn't even manage to turn the bike around, as an off-duty police officer who happened to be passing by, jumped out of his car and shot down the criminal. It all happened rather fast and you'll probably have to watch the footage shot from the victim's helmet-mounted camera more than once to see exactly what went on. According to Brazilian media reports, the officer, who was in uniform and was returning home, fired twice, with one of the bullets striking the thief, identified as Leonardo Escarante Santos, 18, in his abdomen. The thief was transferred to the hospital and will be treated for non-life threatening injuries before heading to court. His accomplice sped away, with police still trying to track him down. Speaking to Brazil's G1, the unnamed 35-year old victim said: "I lucked out to have a police officer there at the time and well positioned". Watch the footage after the jump. VIDEO

Surprise, Surprise…Another Hyundai Genesis Coupe for SEMA Show Posted: 14 Oct 2013 06:40 AM PDT If there's one thing we're certain about the upcoming 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 5-8, it's that there will be plenty of tuned Hyundai Genesis Coupes going around. The Korean carmaker itself has already announced three concepts, the latest one of which was teased today. The JP Edition Genesis Coupe is the collaborative effort of Hyundai and tuner John Pangilinan who we're told "is known in the tuner community for selecting retina-bending color themes for his Hyundai SEMA concepts". For this year's edition of the show, Pangilinan chose a custom-developed Atlantis Blue exterior color that covers a new wide-body kit with extended wheel arches designed by Jon Sibal, with the car riding on 19-inch MORR VS52 concave mono-forged wheels shod in Toyo Proxes tires size 275/30 ZR19 front and 315/25 ZR19 at the rear. The Genesis Coupe's interior is said to be fitted with RECARO Cross Sportster seats dressed in a combination of custom Katzkin suede and leather, a high-end audio system and V-LEDS lighting. As for the powertrain and chassis, upgrades include an AEM cold air intake, ARK Performance exhaust, turbo downpipe, Brembo Gran Turismo brake kit with oversized 15-inch calipers and an array of new suspension bits. PHOTO GALLERY

Is This the 2014 Lexus CT 200h Facelift or a Photoshop? Posted: 14 Oct 2013 06:20 AM PDT Recent reports from Australia, including one from Go Auto, hinted at the market launch of a mid-cycle facelift for Lexus' underperforming CT 200h as early as next year. Today, an allegedly official image, said to have been scanned from the 2014 CT 200h's brochure, has surfaced online. At this point, we cannot verify its authenticity, especially since its size doesn't allow us to get a closer look at the changes made, and which seem to be limited to the full height spindle grille that sports the same zig-zag mesh pattern as the one used on the latest LS F Sport sedan. With the Los Angeles and Tokyo auto shows coming up next month, there's a good chance that we'll see whether this image of the updated model is genuine or not. In the U.S., year-to-date (from January through September) sales of the CT 200h are down 16.0 percent to 11,440 units, while the compact hybrid isn't doing well in other markets either, with monthly sales in Australia, for example, plummeting from 150 units last year to 54 in September. Story References: Indianautosblog PHOTO GALLERY

BMW M6 Gran Coupe MotoGP Safety Car Paces...Paris Traffic [w/Video] Posted: 14 Oct 2013 06:01 AM PDT As part of BMW's longterm partnership with the MotoGP world motorcycling championship, the BMW M6 Gran Coupe has been chosen as the official safety car for the 2013 season. Sporting a livery that includes BMW M's traditional colors, the M6 Gran Coupe MotoGP safety car is a common sight at motorcycle races, but not so much on the roads. That changed recently as BMW's Paris brand store George V had the safety car on display and didn't hesitate to take it for a ride on the streets of the French capital. Although the car lacks the emergency lights on the roof, it looks like the real MotoGP safety car. One thing is certain: it looks and sounds spectacular on Paris' fashionable boulevards. As a quick reminder, the BMW M6 Gran Coupe is powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine developing 560 hp and 680 Nm (502 lb-ft) of torque. Mated to a seven-speed M double-clutch gearbox, the unit allows the M6 Gran Coupe to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY VIDEO

Chevrolet Updates Agile Supermini for Brazil, Still No Looker [123 Photos] Posted: 14 Oct 2013 05:41 AM PDT GM has presented a facelifted version of the Chevrolet Agile sub-compact hatch sporting both styling and mechanical revisions, some four years after the initial launch of the model in South America. Cosmetically, the 2014 Agile features a reworked fascia with a tweaked grille, new bumper and headlamps, which work together with a redesigned rear bumper and new alloy wheel options. The interior of Ford Fiesta-sized hatch has gained a newly styled steering wheel with available controls for the updated audio systems, plus new dials for the instrument panel, new graphics throughout, different panel moldings, while Chevy also claims that fit and finish has been improved. Finally, GM has introduced a second generation five-speed manual transmission named F1X, which is said to allow the driver to change gears with less effort, while it also made changes to its Easytronic semi-automatic transmission. Power for the Agile comes from a 1.4-liter flex-fuel engine delivering 102hp and 135Nm of peak torque when running on ethanol. PHOTO GALLERY

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